{Easy Dinner Recipe} Italian Chicken Bake (2024)

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Kimber|

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This is one of my family’s favorite easy weeknight recipes! The Italian Chicken Bake comes together in minutes with only 4 ingredients and rich, delicious flavors! An easy, healthy, and gluten free dinner recipe.

******* BREAKING NEWS: I have been so overwhelmed at the response to this post and all the people who have told me that they LOVE this recipe because it is so easy & delicious so I decided to start an Instagram account (like today) dedicated to bringing you simple recipes that can be made quickly with only a few ingredients! I would love for you follow me there! Find me on IG as @easyfamilyrecipes*******

I try to make dinner most nights. We try to sit around the table and make dinner a special time for our family. It kind of ruins the mood though when one, two, or everyone doesn’t really like the meal and we end up just arguing and trying to bribe the kids to eat. Yup, nothing ruins a nice family meal quicker than that. Since my kids are still little I am still trying lots of different types of recipes and filing them away as winners and well… those I will not be making again.

A few weeks back I made this Easy Fajita Chicken Bake that I have had in my recipe book for years. The kids loved it! I think the simple and delicious flavors made for a great family meal. The best part for me was that not only did everyone clean their plates, but the meal was so SIMPLE to put together. With two (soon to be three) little ones demanding to “help” me each night while I make dinner, the simpler and easier the better. I need things with a few easy steps that have small room for error since my attention is going a million different directions.

After the success of the fajita chicken bake I started thinking about other ways I could adapt this recipe to make more dinners that are easy to prep and gobbled up by everyone. I came up with a few ideas and this Italian Chicken Bake was one of them. No… not just one of them but an incredibly amazing weeknight dinner that might even be better than our old go to. The chicken was tender the flavors were bold in the best way, and everything came together so perfectly it was like a little ray of heaven shining down on our dinner plate.

This recipe only has 4 ingredients if you can believe it! The prep is so minimal it almost feels like cheating. and then the taste… well, you will just have to take my word for it. Savor every bite!

To make this takes minutes. Trim your chicken breast and lay them in a glass baking dish. Spread about 1-2 tablespoons of prepared pesto (I like the Kirkland brand at Costco, but it all works!) Slice 1-2 roma tomatoes into 1/2″ thick slices and lay them on top of the pesto. Sprinkle mozzarella (or Italian blend cheese) over the whole thing. I like to use the Frigo mozzarella and just grate a bit for the top, but to make it even easier just use pregrated. Bake at 400˚F for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear.

It really is that easy! While the chicken is baking I make a pot of rice or pasta and just serve the chicken breast right over top. With the tomatoes baked right on top, there are already some veggies in the meal so you can be done right there. If you want a little more though, you can throw together a quick salad or steam some broccoli. Both are simple and go really well with the chicken.

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{Easy Dinner Recipe} Italian Chicken Bake (5){Easy Dinner Recipe} Italian Chicken Bake (6)

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{Easy Dinner Recipe} Italian Chicken Bake (8)

4.93 from 14 votes

{Easy Dinner Recipe} Italian Chicken Bake

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Author:Kimber

Print Review Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3-4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 4-6 Tablespoons Prepared Pesto
  • 1-2 Roma Tomatoes
  • 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese grated

Instructions

  • Trim the chicken and lay them in a glass baking dish in a single layer.

  • Spread 1-2 tablespoons of the pesto on top of each chicken breast.

  • Cut the roma tomatoes into slices approx 1/2" thick and lay 2 slices on top of each chicken breast.

  • Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the chicken breasts.

  • Bake at 400?F for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is done and the juices run clear.

  • Serve over a bed of rice or a plate of pasta. Enjoy!

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

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{Easy Dinner Recipe} Italian Chicken Bake (13)

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125 Comments

  1. Savannah Spradlin says

    {Easy Dinner Recipe} Italian Chicken Bake (16)
    This has been a staple recipe for us for 3 years. Its so quick and easy! And you can do it from frozen or fresh chicken as long as you cook to temp! I love it!

    Reply

  2. Charlie says

    {Easy Dinner Recipe} Italian Chicken Bake (17)
    So delicious!

    Reply

Older Comments

{Easy Dinner Recipe} Italian Chicken Bake (2024)

FAQs

What is Italian chicken made of? ›

Italian Chicken Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need boneless skinless chicken breasts, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, butter, potatoes and fresh parsley.

What temperature do you cook chicken breast in the oven? ›

If you're following a specific recipe, then don't deviate! Otherwise, follow this general formula: Cook large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for 20 to 30 minutes in a 375-degree-F oven. Cook large, bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts for 35 to 40 minutes in a 375-degree-F oven.

Should you bake chicken covered or uncovered? ›

Larger cuts, such as whole chickens or bone-in pieces, often benefit from covered baking to ensure thorough and even cooking. Smaller cuts, like chicken breasts or tenders, can be baked uncovered for quick results. Lastly, think about the desired texture and flavor you're trying to achieve.

How long to cook chicken breast in oven at 350? ›

chicken breast at 350°F (177˚C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 165˚F (74˚C).

Do they eat pasta with chicken in Italy? ›

Some Italian food purists still maintain that chicken has no place in pasta because it overwhelms the simpler, fresher flavors the dish should deliver. Instead, they prefer to prepare a separate chicken dish either as a second-course main or a side dish.

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400? ›

Given the fact that drumsticks and thighs are dark meat and won't dry out as easily as breasts, the range from 350 to 450 degrees is okay for baking them. 350 to 375 is generally best for breasts. The best answer to these questions? Simply check the chicken for doneness using an instant read thermometer.

How do you cook boneless skinless chicken breast without drying it out? ›

If you're baking it, keep it covered with a baking sheet or with the pan-top for about 80% of the total baking time, uncover it only when the breast is cooked and tender but there's juices in the pan. Once uncovered, the juices will evaporate quickly in the oven, and you'll have a juicy chicken breast to eat.

How long to cook raw chicken in oven at 400? ›

To Bake Chicken Breast at 400°F: This will take between 22 and 26 minutes depending on the size of the chicken breasts. You can cook chicken breasts at 350°F for closer to 25-30 minutes (although I prefer the higher heat above).

Is it better to bake chicken in glass or metal? ›

If youre looking to oven bake chicken then metal is the best choice however if you're looking to make a casserole then glass can work perfectly. Just be careful not to expose heated glass to cold tempatures as it will shatter!

Should I use aluminum foil when baking chicken? ›

It delivers mouth-watering results: By using foil to bake chicken, you seal in its juices as it steams. This keeps your chicken moist and wonderfully flavorful. It gives you a complete meal in a packet: While you can bake your chicken alone, using foil allows you to build a delicious, all-in-one meal.

Do you put BBQ sauce on chicken before or after baking? ›

A lot of people wonder if you put BBQ sauce on chicken before or after baking and we firmly believe that the correct answer is that you do BOTH! More BBQ sauce is always a good thing. Plus, start to finish (including making that BBQ sauce) our BBQ chicken recipe takes only about 25-30 minutes.

Will baking chicken at 350 dry it out? ›

To ensure your oven-baked chicken breast is juicy, cook it for a short time at a high temperature, and it will emerge from the oven perfectly cooked. Baking the chicken for a short time in a hot 450°F oven helps seal the juices, while prolonged cooking in a moderate 350°F oven can dry it out.

Is it better to bake chicken breast at 350? ›

Chicken breasts cook faster at 400 F than 350 F, which is a benefit. However, baking chicken at a higher temperature will increase the risk of drying the chicken breast out.

Will chicken cook at 350 for 30 minutes? ›

Generally, boneless chicken breasts take around 25-30 minutes to cook in an oven set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, while bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks may take 35-45 minutes.

What is Italian chicken sausage made of? ›

Ingredients. Chicken, water, salt, vinegar, spices (including fennel and pepper), bell pepper, dehydrated garlic, spice extractive, parsley, lemon juice concentrate, natural hog casings.

What is the yellow chicken in Italy? ›

Not everywhere in Italy: in Northern and Central Italy chicken were traditionally corn fed and had yellow skin. In many areas of the South, they were wheat fed and had white skin.

Is Italian chicken sausage pork? ›

Italian chicken sausage is a type of sausage made from ground chicken meat that is seasoned with traditional Italian herbs and spices, such as fennel, garlic, and red pepper flakes. It is often used in Italian cuisine and can be cooked in various ways, such as grilling, sautéing, or simmering in sauces.

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